by Andromeda
Philomena knew that Persians viewed their wives as property, and that was another reason why she wanted to break this contract. If she went through with it, she had a feeling that Darius would do something like that again, and then she would be arrested for murder. No man was ever going to lay his hands on her again.
Slowly, she knelt for the head priest to make the mark of Zeus on her forehead; the patron god of all rulers. Her whole family was here, and her mother was watching with pride. This was her triumph, too; her dynasty was living on. It was proving that all her hard work and sacrifice wasn’t for naught.
“Do you accept the responsibility before you?” the head priest asked.
“I do,” Philomena answered.
“Do you promise to always put your people first?” the head priest asked.
“I do,” Philomena swore.
“May the goddess Athena gift you with her wisdom…” the head priest whispered, making marks on her arms and palms. “May the god Ares gift you with his ferocity in battle… Arise, if you shall be our queen!”
Slowly, Philomena lifted her head and stood to her feet, her head held high. She made eye contact with all in the temple and took a deep breath before she spoke.
“My Brothers and Sisters of Sparta!” she called out. “I stand before you a humble woman, who asks you all to gift me with the ultimate honor. I ask you, the people, and my brothers and sisters to make me your queen! Do you accept me?!”
“PHILOMENA!” the crowds began to chant. “PHILOMENA! PHILOMENA! DAUGHTER OF ALEXANDER, WE ACCEPT YOU!”
The high priest held up the crown—not the queen’s crown, but the king’s—over her head for all to see. “I crown you, Philomena, the First of Your Name; Queen of Sparta and Governor of all of her territories! All hail the Queen!”
“ALL HAIL THE QUEEN!” they yelled. “ALL HAIL THE QUEEN! ALL HAIL KING ALEXANDER’S DAUGHTER!”
Philomena wanted to blush, but knew that would be viewed as weakness, so she did not, yet she turned her head slightly and glanced to Abeeku. He knew that look; tonight would be the night. Tonight would be the night that they finally feed their passions. He wanted her now, but forced himself to wait. But, as she walked past with her mother, a smile curved his lips.
The feast that followed was great, with ambassadors coming from far and wide in order to give tribute to the new queen. Never had there been a woman before on the throne of Sparta, and when the Ambassadors came, no one truly knew how to handle the situation. Their kings had told them to befriend the new monarch, yet they didn’t exactly know how.
At first, they thought that as a woman, she would be easily flattered, yet Philomena closed that notion when she proved in her negations that she was as shrewd as any man. She truly was the great Alexander and Zenobia’s daughter, yet Philomena didn’t want to be compared to them. She wanted this era, her era, to be all her own; to be a new one unlike any one had ever seen before.
*******
Zenobia watched her daughter with pride as she handled the ambassadors, as she knew that the training she had instilled within her was being of great use. She was going to need it. She sat on the throne now; now she had to keep it. It might prove difficult, as some of her spies had brought her slightly disturbing news; both from abroad and inside the palace itself.
“Drachma for your thoughts, Highness?” a voice said behind her.
Zenobia didn’t have to turn around to see who it was; she already knew. Yet, when she did, the smug face of Ajax was just inches from her own. He had been very persistent as of late; rather than be soft about his desires, he was upfront with them. What he wanted was simple: her in his bed, and he wanted her to stay there.
If she were any other woman, she would have said yes in an instant, as Ajax was quite the striking individual. He was very charismatic, easy on the eyes, and a skilled warrior; all of which any woman would want. Yet Zenobia knew she wouldn’t just take any man to her bed. Though she was past the time of having children, he might try to press a claim to the throne through her. She couldn’t risk it. Not only that…but she felt as if she would be betraying Alexander…
“I don’t have time for your games tonight,” Zenobia said sharply, walking away from him. “So I ask that you let me be.”
Ajax followed after her, not one to do so. “What is wrong, Your Highness? So I make you…uneasy?”
“You annoy me,” Zenobia answered. “Does that count?”
Before she could round a corner, he grabbed her arm, tenderly but firmly. She would have fought him, ordered him to let her loose, but she didn’t.
“Do not leave so soon, Your Highness. I only wish to talk to you,” he said.
“You don’t want to use our lips to talk,” she said back.
Ajax shrugged. “The body speaks louder than actual words.”
“What do you want with me?” Zenobia snapped, trying to calm her thudding heart.
“You know what I want…” he said, caressing her arm. “One night…”
“And such a thing will not happen,” she said.
“Why not?” he asked. “You are a widow, yes, and you have mourned your husband, the late king; may he rest in peace. But do you think he would have wanted you to be lonely all these years until you die?”
Zenobia didn’t answer; instead, she turned away, considering what he was saying. Would Alexander want me to be lonely all this time…without anyone save my children to make me happy?
Ajax’s powerful arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her against him, as one hand slowly slid down her body. “You are the Queen’s mother…” he whispered in her ear. “Do you want to have an empty bed…a lonely bed…a cold bed…until you die?” he cupped her through her gown, making her gasp. “All I want is one night…one night to give you pleasure…and if afterwards you still hate me, then I will leave you alone…forever…”
He released her and took a step back. Zenobia watched him flick his tongue at her, turn around, and walk away. Her whole body began to shake. Not knowing what else to do, she hurried away, rushing to her chambers and slammed the door behind her. Standing in front of her mirror, she looked at herself.
“Alex…” she whispered. “Oh, my love…I missed you…”
Her lip began to quiver and she bowed her head. For the first time, she let out a sob. She’d never been one to cry, and yet she cried as if Alexander had been killed again. She could feel the pain again, see the blood, hear her howls of pain and sorrow; she had lost the man that she had loved, she lost the only man that could truly understand her. Suddenly, the air in the room grew cold, a soft whisper of wind stirred her hair, making her lift her head, and what she saw in the mirror made her gasp.
It was Alexander, standing right next to her. For a moment, she was frozen, and then she turned around, and he was still there. He smiled at her, and slowly moved forward, cupping her cheek. “I miss you too…”
“How…how are you here?” she whispered.
“You should know by now I am always watching you, my love…” he said. “Do not be afraid; seeing you so sad upsets me…”
“I am confused, Alexander. This man…he says that he wants me, but…” her words trailed off.
“His heart is true, if that is your worry,” he said. “His tactics for trying to win your heart are…strange, but you can trust him. I remember Ajax when I was alive…”
“I feel like I would be betraying you,” she said. “I mean…we’ve been through a lot, my love.”
“And those memories will always be there,” he said. “Your children are mine, but for as long as you’ve known me, you were always cleaning up my messes. It’s time for you to have your own life.”
He began to dissolve and Zenobia gasped, her hands reached out for him. “Alexander! Alex, please don’t leave me!” she called out.
“It’s time for you…to live your own life…” he said with a smile, dissolving into mist. “Whatever you do…I will be happy for you… Make him work for it…”
&nb
sp; *******
The servants summoned Abeeku to her chambers, and though he found it strange that he was being brought to her chambers, he also found it a bit exciting and interesting. The doors opened and the chambers were dark, save for candles circling the bed with flower petals scattered around the floor. And then he saw her, her body spread out on the canopy bed, wearing only a linen sheet that was clearly see-through.
Abeeku felt himself harden in his leggings, a low groan rumbled in his chest as slowly, Philomena sat up. Parting the drapes of the canopy bed, she walked to him, and when she came just inches from him, she stopped. Reaching to her sides, she pulled at the cloth at her shoulders, the fabric slowly sliding down her body until it pooled at her feet.
For the first true time, he could see her bare, as bare as the day she was born and Abeeku loved what he saw. Her skin looked golden in the candlelight, her hair like black ink; her eyes reminded him of a cat’s, so curious. Her breasts were like melons sitting high on her chest, and he reached out, cupping one in his palm.
“How I have waited for this day…” he whispered as he took her into his arms. “Almost twenty years…”
“So have I…” she whispered back, pressing herself closer. “And now, nothing will keep us apart.”
“Nothing…” he said, carrying her to the bed.
Laying her gently on the sheets, he pulled away to take off his linen shirt and then slowly pulled at the ties of his leggings. As he slid out of them, Philomena’s eyes widened slightly when she saw the size of his manhood. He couldn’t help but smile smugly at her shock, and he took her hand, and wrapped it around it.
“This is yours…” he vowed. “It, along with my heart, will only belong to you. And if you ever have to marry someone else, I will fight to stay at your side.”
She was speechless from his words, and she knew he meant it. He wouldn’t take a mistress if he ever got mad at her; he would value and worship her like the queen she was. He would never leave her, nor forsake her, which is something that couldn’t be said for a lot of men.
Carefully and slowly, they explored each other’s bodies, but this was different than before. They had never been naked before in each other’s arms; they had never touched the things that they touched now. Using their five senses, they explored; tasting each other’s kisses, hearing the soft sighs of the other, watching how the other reacted, feeling the heat of each other’s skin, and smelling the other’s desire. Tonight, they forgot everything; tonight, it was only about Philomena and Abeeku, and the love they shared.
When he slid his hand between her thighs, needing to touch her inner heat, Philomena gasped softly, her back arching as she whispered his name. “Abeeku…”
Abeeku grinned. He was really learning as he went, though he did ask some of his friends for ‘tips’ on how to pleasure her. Working carefully, he moved his fingers, rubbing her pearl and kissing her neck, using all that his friends had told him. It didn’t take long for her to respond; her hips bucked, her hands gripped him tighter, her moans louder.
“You like that?” he whispered with a chuckle.
“More than you know…” she said back breathless.
“I need you,” he said, his voice thick. “I need you…now…”
“Then take me,” she whispered. “Please…”
That’s all he needed. Parting her thighs, he straddled her and rubbed himself against her entrance. Grinning softly, he felt a bit nervous; this was it. This was the time that they finally joined together as one. For a moment, he felt worried: what if he messed up? What if he hurt her? What if he couldn’t perform correctly?
She sensed his worry and cupped his cheek, making him look into her eyes. “It’s alright,” she whispered. “It’s just you…and me…”
A soft smile curved his lips and he leaned down, pressing his lips to her own, and then slid into her. She groaned, her head rolling back as she gripped him tightly. She felt her virginal wall break, but it didn’t hurt much; instead, it felt no worse than her falling off her horse.
Slowly, he began to move his hips, not pushing all the way in yet, but just letting her feel him; letting him feel her. They both moaned softly, her hands roamed over his back, her legs lifting and wrapping around his waist. He gained confidence. With every stroke, it brought them closer together. With every stroke, it formed a bond that none would break; with every stroke, it made them one.
“Y…Yes…” she whispered, her breathing coming in soft pants. “D…Deeper…”
He obeyed and pushed himself deeper, his pace increasing. All throughout the night they tried new things, different positions that they were told of. They quickly found two favorites: her on top, which Abeeku really loved; and then laying side by side with her leg on his hip, which Philomena really loved.
Rolling around the bed, they gripped each other tightly, working to bring each other to the ultimate high that all reached for during lovemaking. Abeeku pulled her into his lap; leaning back, he gripped her hips and pounded into her. He was on a mission now; play time was over and he had one thing in his mind right now: claim her and her body as his own.
Philomena groaned, panting as her body bounced on top of him, loving the feeling of him plunging in deep. She could feel a tightening in her gut, a tightening that signified that her release was getting closer and closer. Abeeku laid back on the pillows, thrusting into her powerfully from below; one hand on a ripe breast as he groaned her name over in over, feeling his own release.
One last vigorous thrust and it shattered her. Philomena’s head threw back as she screamed out his name. Abeeku groaned loudly. Sitting up, he buried his face in her breasts, moaning her name as he poured into her before falling back with a sigh. She laid on top of him, both of them panting heavily to catch their breaths, and then she began to chuckle.
“We waited so long…for that,” she said with a grin.
“And it was worth it,” he said, grinning back, smoothing some sweat-soaked hair from her face. “So very worth it…”
“I don’t ever want to let you go,” she said, kissing his cheek.
“I won’t be sent away easy,” he chuckled. “And I meant what I said. If you are forced to marry someone other than me, then I still stay here with you. I will defend my love for you with my dying breath. I love you, Mena, from now and forever. No one is going to take you from me.”
Chapter Eleven
Dorian leaned against a pillar, his mind wandering, but when a shadow loomed behind him, he turned and saw that it was Zenon. The older councilman hadn’t talked to Dorian much, mainly because both had been busy in trying to figure out a plan in taking down the current royals. Dorian had a plan: he was going to work from the shadows and in the end, would get both the throne and the girl. Zenon was looking more toward full-scale revolution and war, which wasn’t what Dorian wanted at all. He knew they had to be careful in what they did.
“What new information have you brought me?” Zenon asked.
“Nothing much,” Dorian said with a shrug. “I know today the Council is going to vote on whether to keep Philomena’s marriage allegiance with Persia or break it.”
The topic of Philomena’s marriage had been a big debate in the Council ever since she was crowned, less than four months ago. They wanted to keep the agreement with Persia, but other princes had come forward and were asking for the honor of having her hand. However, if the Council were smart, they would see that Philomena had her eye on one man, and one man only: Abeeku. If the Council were smart, they would eliminate the clear threat to their plans. Dorian knew, of course, that the Council was less than smart, so it made his own plans a lot easier to plan.
“I see nothing wrong with her keeping her agreement with Persia…” Dorian said as he stroked his chin. “It might be of use to us in the future.”
“Have you lost your senses?” Zenon asked. “Clearly, if she keeps this contract with Persia, then we would all be subjugated to the country!”
“Not necessarily,” Dori
an said with a sly grin.
“What do you mean?” Zenon asked.
“I have something in mind…” Dorian said. “But I shall not say until I know that it will come to fruition.”
Zenon frowned. “I hate it when you keep secrets from me.”
“The exact way you keep secrets from me?” Dorian asked with an arched eyebrow. “I know you do not tell me everything, Zenon, so you cannot scold me for not telling you all my secrets.”
Zenon frowned slightly but said nothing, and he didn’t want to truly cross Dorian. The young man might seem simple-minded at times, but Zenon knew that behind that handsome face was a truly calculative mind. A mind that at times Zenon himself feared. So, he merely nodded and turned to walk away. Dorian, meanwhile, turned back to what he was watching: Philomena and Abeeku in the gardens.
*******
Philomena gasped softly, smiling as Abeeku groaned as she moved her hips faster and faster on top of him. Hidden in their secret spot, they hadn’t been able to keep their hands off each other ever since that night. Both were of course dressed, in case someone came to find them, but other than that, they were in their own little world.
Abeeku always loved it when she was on top, and he heard that this position increased her chances of getting with child. He wanted it to be true. Though he planted his seeds into her night after night, she had not shown any of the signs. He wanted it be so; he needed her to be with child. Though the whole palace, if not all of Sparta, knew that he spent virtually every night in her bed, the thought of her having his child within her was the greatest desire of all.
He wanted to be a father, mainly because his own wasn’t kind at all to his mother. He wanted to be different; he wanted to be the perfect father. That is why, every time they lay together, he placed his head on her belly and whispered a prayer to the Ancestors to bless them with a new life.